It is crucial to urge the Canadian government to pass Bill S-203 – Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act. Please voice your support for the bill which will stop theme parks like Marineland from exploiting these sensitive creatures for entertainment and profit.

The bill was introduced by Senator Wilfred Moore in 2015 and adopted by Green Party leader Elizabeth May in 2016. After months of delays, in October 2017, the bill passed through the Senate Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. On May 29th, 2018, the Senate began its third-reading of S-203, and on October 23, 2018, the bill passed through the Red Chamber. S-203 has now gone to the House of Commons and a final vote is expected to be issued by May of 2019.

SAD LOSS ON AUGUST 13, 2017 - Gia, a three-year-old beluga whale featured in LCA’s investigation at Marineland Canada, suddenly died. Gia was one of five captive cetaceans (whales, dolphins & porpoises) in Canada who died between November 2016 and August 2017.

Watch the video above to see LCA's undercover footage of Marineland Canada

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Summary of Investigative findings

LCA conducted a five-month undercover investigation into Marineland Canada, during the summer and fall of 2015, with a primary focus on the park’s beluga whale population and the conditions under which they are being held. The majority of the park’s 46 belugas are confined to just three main pools with no breeding program in place to regulate births, allowing Marineland’s population of belugas to continue to grow at an alarming and irresponsible rate.

The investigation uncovered disturbing inadequacies in the care of the whales, which include:

Multiple beluga cows observed suffering for months from an undiagnosed condition reported by employees to park management as “genital rubbing” which caused the whales to rub themselves constantly against the concrete tank until blood was visible in the water.

Gia, a juvenile beluga who was initially separated from her mother by accident, was left in a shallow isolation pool for three months while she became emaciated.

A three-month-old beluga calf with a deep laceration near his fluke left untreated for two days before seen by a local small animal vet. The laceration reopened shortly thereafter.

Belugas exhibiting signs of eye abnormalities, such as redness, irritation, and cataracts, and in some cases, young belugas appearing to develop cataracts prematurely.

Numerous belugas with various medical conditions, such as hypersalivation, regurgitation, and raw, red throats, in some cases for prolonged periods of time.

Routine deprivation of food for training purposes.

The birth of 5 calves, one of which died.

The investigation also revealed that the whales were housed in enclosures that are not only barren in comparison to their natural environment but also unsafe and harmful in their very design and the interactions they promote, including:

46 belugas of both sexes ranging in age from newborns to mature adults confined in three main cement enclosures.

Belugas, including newborn calves, covered in “rake marks”, from being attacked and bitten by dominant whales.

Enclosures that did not provide the whales with areas away from public view, nor any protection from the elements.

Enclosures with inadequate barriers that promote unsupervised public contact with the whales as well as the accidental or deliberate introduction of foreign objects into the whales’ enclosures.

Kiska, Marineland’s lone orca, constantly swimming in circles in the smaller of her two pools.

More than 100 barrels of industrial strength bleach kept on site, and employees repeatedly complaining of burning eyes and a strong chlorine smell on certain days when next to the pools.

These findings formed the basis of LCA's complaint to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for violations of the OSPCA Act and its prescribed standards of care. The OSPCA investigated but declined to take action against Marineland. The results of the OSPCA’s investigation are not publicly accessible, highlighting a disturbing lack of transparency despite the agency’s role as the enforcement arm of provincial animal protection legislation.

Marineland Canada, located in Niagra Falls, Ontario, first opened in 1961 as little more than a roadside attraction. John Holer, whose background is in the circus industry, purchased three sea lions to put on display and charged $.25 cents for admission. From that point forward, the park began growing rapidly and by the 1970's, had expanded to include a 2,000 seat "aquatheatre", as well as acquiring its first captive orca, "Kandu", who quickly became the star attraction. Marineland is now not only Canada's largest amusement park but also confines more beluga whales than any other park in the world.

Marineland and Mr. Holer are no strangers to controversy, having become the subject of intense public scrutiny after allegations emerged of mass animal graves located inside the park, a claim which was later proven to be true. Since then, the park has been involved in a litany of scandals involving both the park itself and the often erratic behavior of its owner, John Holer. Persistent pressure and condemnation from the public, activists, and particularly from former Marineland employees themselves have garnered widespread media coverage, including an in-depth investigation into the park by The Toronto Star.

Despite Marineland management and Mr. Holer’s repeated attempts to silence critics with frivolous lawsuits and threats of litigation, the atrocities committed by Marineland and Mr. Holer are firmly established in public’s eye.

LCA’s investigation reveals that no whales should be kept in captivity and that doing so causes suffering and distress to these sensitive social creatures. Canadian parliament has before it Bill S-203, “Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act” which would prevent this tragedy being inflicted upon future whales by banning their capture, confinement, breeding, and sale.

Beluga with eyes closed above water

Gia head bumping the gate in isolation pen

Beluga whale with visible wound on nose

Gia's body closeup, with ribs visible

Beluga with eyes closed at feeding

Rake marks on juvenile beluga whale

CLICK HERE to read expert's statement about the beluga whales at Marineland Canada.